When Hurricane Wilma devastated South Florida in 2005, it wiped out electricity for many, including grocery stores in the area. BHH Board President Gary Peters heard about Boca Helping Hands’ urgent need for help and pitched in.
“I wrote them a check and thought I was done,” Gary said. “Luckily for me they pursued me, and I was quickly engaged with BHH,” he said.
Formerly the Executive Vice President of LaSalle National Bank of Chicago, where he ran the bond division from Boca Raton, Gary was preparing for retirement in 2006 and wanted to commit himself to doing something impactful post-retirement.
Gary’s involvement with Boca Helping Hands grew rapidly. Within a year, Gary joined the board of directors, became president of the board, and coordinated BHH’s first major fundraising event, a Monopoly tournament that would be held in January of 2007, and each subsequent year.
Gary Peters introduced Arthur J. Remillard, Jr. to BHH and shared with him the need for a new, larger, and greatly needed facility. The Remillard Center, lovingly named after Mr. Remillard, whom Gary regards as BHH’s Patron Saint, opened in 2010. Gary’s vision of BHH’s expansion wasn’t over, the increase in demand continued to grow and so did the operation. In 2017, Gary procured a second building across the street from the Remillard Center. This new acquisition became the Job Training Center to accommodate the growing Job Training and Mentoring Programs. In 2021, BHH opened its second warehouse due to the increase in clients and distribution sites.
Gary Peters has been the driving force behind Boca Helping Hands. He was determined to showcase an impressive multi-campus facility for BHH. Our organization is grateful for Gary’s vision and continued support today as well as over the past 17 years.
